Gong



.June 24, 1930.

J. T. MILLER ET AL GONG Filed July 14; 1926 2 Sheets-Sheet l June 24, 1930. J. Tl MlLLER ET AL.

GONG

Filed July l14:,

1926' 2 sheets-sheet 2 lll vated by suitable solenoids.

Patented .inne 24, 193@ irl i earner errrce GONG ` Application filed July 14;,

. Our invention pertains in general to improvements inv gongs and more particularly to a novel gong construction employing a pendulum hammer.

in practice we have found that the usual type of ringer or gong is not veryT satisfactory for outdoor use since the sound waves sent out therefrom are not strong enough to carry very far. Most of these devices include a vtapper actuated by a oscillatory armature.

Then too, the sound aemanating from this type of instrument is usually deadened by the rebound of the associated gong. rlhat is to say, no satisfactory provision is made for compensating for the rebound of the gongs.

l/Ve are also aware of the so-ealled harmonic ringer used so extensively in telephony. These ringer-s employ a vibrating reed acturilthough in these ringers provision is made for compensating forti Y rebound of the gong and hence the sound sent out therefrom is rela-tively clear vwhen used indoors, we do not find that they are satisfactory for outdoor use inasmuch as the volume of their sound is not great enough to carry very far.

Furthermore, harmonic ringcrs depend for their operation upon the vibration of a tapper reed. Now obviously, each individual reed has a vibration period of its own and hence an adjustment is necessary in order to have the reed vibrate at a period commen surate with that of the gong. This factor becomes of more importance as the size of the ringer is increased and if not provided for the quality of its sound will be deleteriously affected. Therefore; in general these ringer-s are not suitable for outdoor use where a relatively great soundis desired.

l/Ve propose to provide an improved gong, particularly adapted for outdoor use and which is adapted to send out a signal which can be heard at a comparatively great distance from the instrument. @ur device is especially designed for use as a warning signal.

In the ldevice of our invention we do not employ a vibrating tapper but substitute therefor a pendulum arm having a hammer associated with its free end.

1926. Serial N0. 122,303.

Also we provide novel means for actuating the pendulum. rlhe effective force of this means is at a minimum upon the movement of the pendulum from its place of rest but gradually increases as the pendulum is swung outwardly so that it is at a maximum when the pendulum reaches an end of its arc of movement. This actuating` means in the preferred embodiment of our invention, in general comprises solenoid actuated rods and cranks connested to a shaft to which the pendulum arm is fastened.

Furthermore, we provide the fixed end of the pendulum with means for operating a novel double throw switch of our invention which causes the alternate operation of the solenoids associated therewith. In other words, we cause the pendulum operating means to be controlled by the moving pendulum itself. Moreover, we provide novel means for adjusting the action of the pendulum on the double throw switch.

Other objects and advantages of our invention will more fully appear in the follow- .ing detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings which illustrate one embodiment thereof, and in which: l

Fig. l is a plan view of our device, partly in section, with the gong removed;

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of our sounding vinstrument showing the gong in section;

Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken on substantially the line 3-3 of Fig. l, looking in the direction indicated by the arrows;

Fig. 4l is an elevation of our novel double throw switch;

Fig. 5 is a. sectional view taken on the line 5 5 of Fig. 4:;

Fig. 6 is a view taken on the line (3-6 of Fig. l looking in the direction indicated by the arrows; and

Fig. 7 is a view of an electrical circuit which may be employed in conjunction with our device.

Referring now to the drawings and details in which like numerals designate similar parts throughout the several views, l() .denotes generally a U-shaped bracket having a pair of longitudinal lateral flanges 1l and l able sha e but is illustrated as having a bell-like orm. This gong 15 encircles the upper part of the bracket 10 and serves a's a cover for rotectin the operatlng mechanism associate therewit as is obvious from Fig. 2.

The U-shaped bracket 10 includes a palr of parallel legs 16 and 17 throu h which extends a shaft 18 positioned at su stantially right angles to the plane of the bracket. This shaft 18 1s suitably 'ournaled in the two legs 16,and 17 of the brac et 10. The shaft- 18 is prevented from being moved endwise with respect to the bracket b means of a pair of collars 19 and 20 suitab y secured to the shaft. Each of these collars 19 and 20 is disposed outside of the bracket and abuts a leg of the bracket 10. The collar 19 is associated with the leg 16 of the bracket and vthe collar 20 is associated with the leg 17 ofthe bracket (Fig. 2).

Mounted on the ends of the shaft 18 are a pair of annular discs 21 and 22 having hubs 23 and 24 respectively. The hubs 23 and 24 are suitably secured to the shaft 18. Now each of these discs 21 and 22 serve as a crank in our device. In other words, these discs are crank discs. Associated with the disc 21 is the upper end of a link 25 which is pivotally connected thereto by means of a bolt and nut designated generally by the reference character 26. Also associated with the disc 22 is a link 27 ivotally connected to the disc by means ofp a bolt nut designated generally by the reference character 28. The lower end of the link 25 is disposed in a slot 29 in a plunger 30 and is pivotallyfastened to the plunger. Similarly the lower end of the link 27 extends into a slot 31 in a plunger 32 spaced from the plunger 30 and is pivotally secured thereon.

As best shown in Fig. 1 the pivotal connection between the link 25 and the disc 21 is disposed on a side of the axis of the shaft 18 opposite to that of the pivotal connection between the link 27 and the disc 22. The links are each disposed at a slight angle to the axis of the associated plunger as clearly shown in Fig. 3. The plungers 30 and 32 are disposed parallel to each other and extend down below the bell or gong 15.

The plunger 3() extends down into the center of an electrical magnet or solenoid 33 and the plunger 32 extends down into afsolenoid 34. 1 The solenoid 33 is anchored to the leg 16 of the bracket 10 by means of a U-shaped yoke member 35 and the solenoid 34 is anchored to the leg 17 of the bracket 10 by means of a U- shaped yoke member 36. The yoke members 35 and 36 are referably made of iron and serve to strengthen the magnetic field of their respective solenoids.

The plungers 30 and 32 constitute cores as far as thesolenoids 33 and 34 are concerned. Also the plunvers 30 and 32 do not normall extend clear oWn to the solenoids. As wi l be described more in detail hereinafter, the solenoids are adapted to be alternately energized to draw down the lungers 30 and 32.

Positioned between the egs 16 and 17 of the bracket 10, is a pendulum arm having its upper end fixed to the shaft 18. The lower end ofthe arm 40 (Fig. 3 has associated therewith a pair of hammers or tappers 41 and 42 which are resiliently connected thereto.

The hammers 41 and 42 are loosel mounted on a circular pin 43 extending t rou h an aperture 44 in the lower end of the pen ultim arm 40. The hammer 41 has an aperture 45 through which the pin 43 extends and the hammer 42 has an aperture 46 through which the pin extends. Surrounding the pin 43 are a pair of springs 47 and 48, one being positioned between the hammer 41 and the arm 40 and the other being positioned between the' hammer 42 and the arm 40. Also the end of the pin 43 associated with the hammer 41 is provided with an enlarged head 49 which sits in a` countersunk portion 50 in the hammer 41. Similarly the end of the pin 43 associated with the hammer 42 is provided with an enlarged head 51 which is adapted to fit into the countersunk portion 52 of the hammer 42. These head portions 49 and 51 are adapted to limit .the outward movement of the hammers 41 and 42. Now, obviously, when either of the hammers tap the gong 15, the rebound of the gong will be compensated for by the spring associated with that hammer which will be compressed thereby. Then, too, the springs are responsive to the jars of the harnmers 41 and 42 and prevent to a considerable extent the transmission of these jars to the pendulum arm 40. This arrangement prevents the crystallization off the parts associated with the pendulum arm 40.

The upper and fixed end of the pendulum arm 40 has fastened thereto a pair of laterally extending ears or extensions 55 and 56 (Fig. 3). The extension 55 has threaded therein a stud or screw 57 and the extension 56 has threaded therein a screw 5B. Also threaded on the screw 57 is a lock nut 59 and threaded on the screw 58 is a lock nut 60. These two screws 57 and 58 constitute adjusting screws in our device. The ends of the screws 57 and 58 are adapted to alternately engage a downwardly extending arm 82 of a double throw switch desi ated generally by the reference character 5. This double throw switch is of much the same general construction as that disclosed in o'ur Patent No. 1,619,148,

'los

from the top 68 of the bracket 10 by means of an electrical insulator 69. The base'67 and the insulator 69 are both fastened to the top portion 68 (Fig. 3) by means of screws and nuts designated generally by the reference character 70.

Referring now again to the bracket 66 it will be noted that a lever-like arm 71 extends into the space separating the spaced legs 63 and 64. This arm 71 is pivotally attached to the bracket 66 by means of a pivot pin 72. Also the armk has provided at its center, ad-

jacent its pivot, a lateral extension 73l equipped with a pocket 74 including cam surface 7 5. The arm 62 has a reduced or pinlike portion 76 3) which extends into a sleeve member 77. The sleeve 77 has a shoulder 78 between which and the arm 62 is a compression spring 79. The end of the sleeve has formed integral therewith, a bifurcated portion 80 which rotatably carries a roller 81. This roller-81 is adapted to be at all times urged into engagement with the cam surface 7 5l within the pocket 74. The operation of this construction is much the same as that of our construction disclosed in our aforesaid co-pending patent application.

The arm 62 has a flat portion 82 which is engageable by .the previously described adjustable screws on the end of the pendulum arm 40. As best shown in Fig. 6 the arm 62 has secured thereto a pin 83 the opposite ends of which extend into elongated apertures 84 in the associated legs of the U-shaped bracket 66. Since both of these elongated slots are identical in construction, we shall only describe one of them in detail. The slot 84 as shown in 6 is somewhat arcuate in shape and is positioned so that the vertical anis of the pendulum arm extends substantially through the center thereof. In other words, the slot 84 extends on either side of the center of the lever arm of the switch. Thus before the arm 62 is elfective to rock the switch lever arm 71 it is necessary to move the pin 83 from one side of the slot 84 to the other. In so moving the arm 62 it is moved past the center line of the lever 71 and hence will at no time tend to be locked in a central position.

The switch arm 71 is adapted to cooperate with four contacts, 94, 91, 92 and 93 secured to the base 67. Since each of these four contacts is videntically constructed we believe the ijf)- description of one will suffice for the four.

As best shown in Figs. 4 and 5 each contact comprises a ll-shaped portion 96 and a laterally extending terminal lug 97. The legs of the U portion 96 are bent towards each other as shown in Fig. 5. The ends of the lever arm 71 are provided with a pair of contact members 98 an d 99 adapted to cooperate with vthe contacts 91 and 92, 93 and 94 respectively. Since both of these contact arms 98 and 99 are identical in construction, it is believed a description of one will suiiic-e for both. Each of these Contact arms includes an element 100 having its ends bent into U-shaped portions 101, and 102 which are adapted to cooperate with the contacts.

Referring to Fig. 5 it will be noted that the contacts aie secured to tlie base 67 by means of bolts and nuts designated generally by the reference character 103. Also it will be observed that the contact arm 100 is fastened to the end of the lever arm 71 by means of a bolt and'nutdesignated generally by the reference character 105. The arm 100 is insulated from the arm 71 by means of an insulaor 106.

From the foregoing it will be obvious that each contact arm is adapted to connect a pair of contacts. The contact arm associated with one end of the switch lever 71 is adapted to electrically connect the contacts 93 and 94 and the other contact arm is adapted to electrically connect the contacts 91 and 92. Also y it shouldbeobserved that one set of contacts is at all times electrically connected; the set connected depending upon the position of',4

the switch lever 71.

Each of the Ueshaped portions of each contact arm is adapted to be inserted between the resilient legs of the associated contacts. Also the legs of the contact are adapted to spread apart by the U-shaped portion of the contact arm as well as to be resiliently urged towards each other and into relatively tight engagement with the legs of the U-shaped portion of the contact arm. Moreover, the legs of the U-shaped portions 101 and 102 are, when in an engage position, urged outwardly into engagement with the associated legs of the contacts. This arrangement insures a good electrical contact between the terminals and the contact arm and enables a good electrical connection between each pair of contacts.

The switch is adapted to alternately close two pairs of contacts which cont-rol the operation of the two solenoids'33 and 34. In other words, -eacli time the switch is actuated, one:

7 we have illustrated somewhat diagraniinatil cally an electrical circuit which may be used 'in connection with our novel device for the purpose above mentioned. In this circuit one leg of a battery line is connected to lZO one end of the winding on the solenoid 33 as indicated at 111. The other end of the winding on the solenoid33 as indicated at 112 is `connected to a conductor 113 whose end terminates in the contact 91 of the switch 65.

The contact 92 is connected directly to the tor 121 tothe lead wire110.

In Fig. 7 we have illustrated the contacts 93 and 94 as being electrically connected by the associated Contact arm of the switch blade. When these two contacts yare electrically connected, the solenoid 34 is energized and the associated plunger is pulled downwardly -under the magnetic e'ect of the winding. Upon the actuation of the switch by the swinging pendulum arm 40, the two con tacts 93 and 94 are ydisconnected and the two contacts 91 and 92 aire contemporaneously connected. This results in the energization of the solenoid 33 causing the plunger associated therewith to be pulled downwardly to yactuate the pendulum. Obviously, in order for the circuit to be effective, however, it is necessary that the circuit breaking device 116 be closed. Upon the closing of `this device Which may be done by the pressing of a button, or the actuation of a suitable switch, our

device is set into operation and continues in operation until the circuit breaking device H6 is opened.

The operation of our device is briefly as follows: In order to set the device into operation, the reviously mentioned circuit breaking device 116 is actuated to close the electrical circuit associated therewith. This results in one of the solenoids being ener- -'lhe solenoidthat will be ener ized depends upon which pair of contacts isc osed by the double throw switch 65. The magnetic effect of the energized solenoid causes the plunger disposed therein to be siowly pulled downward. The initial ull or the initial force exerted upon the p unger will be relatively small but will be constantly increased as the plunger is drawn downwardly. It is evident that it will not require very vmuch force to move the pendulum arm 40 from its position of restoutwardly. As mentioned above, the effec-t of the magnetic flux on the plunger is rat a minimum upon the heginnin of the movement of the langer. As the p unger is drawn downward y, howy ever, this magnetic effect becomes stronger and the outward movement of the pendulum the hammer of the the device. The previous arm increases. In other words, the pendulum arm is swung outwardly with an 1,11.- creasi velocity so that when it reaches the limit I its arc of movement it will have obtained its maximum velocity. This causes endulum arm to hit thek gong with a-rclative y shap and hard knock, resulting ina clear soun emanating from the gong.

Also, the resilient the gong hammers enables these hammers t0 respond to the rebound of the gong thus p reventing this rebound from interfering wlth the sound waves sent out from my evlce. Then toc, this resilient mountin prevent the transmission of orces and knocks to the parts of the ndulum arm thus preventing their crys ization.

The arcof movement of the pendulum arm, or rather the period of the pendulum arm may be varied by the adjusting screws 57 and 58, which are adapted to snap the switch arm 62 to and fro ast the center of y described elongated arcuate shaped slot 84 prevents the arm 62 from being swung or locked in a central position. In other words, this arrangement insures that one set of the contacts carried by the switch will at all times be closed by the switch arm.

Although we have illustrated our novel i oscillatory pendulum arm construction as being associated with a bell gong, it is, of

mounting provided for serves to course, to be understood that the invention.

is not to be limited thereby, but only in so far as defined by the scope and spirit of the appended claims.

1. In combination, a gong, a support therefor, a pendulum arm connected to the said support, a pair of hammers associated with the free end of the said endulum arm, resilient means between eac of the said hammers and said ndulum arm, said resilient means being a apted to compensate for the rebound of the said gong when the hammers tap the same, and electro magnetic means associated with the pendulum arm` for initiating the operation of the same and for oscillating the same, said electro magnetic means comprising a pair of solenoids and switchmeans controlled by the movementof site sides thereof, a hammer mounted on each.

of said ,pins and capable of sliding with re# spect thereto, and a coil spring dis osed around each ,pin between the arm and ammer to regulate the movement of the hammer on the pin.

3. In a gong ringing mechanism, a sha'ft pivotaily mounted von a support, a rigid arm mounted on Said shaft, pin means attached to the free end of said arm and projecting from the opposite sides thereof, a hammer mounted on each of said pin projections and capaioie of sliding movement With respect thereto and spring means interposed between the arm and each hammer for regulating the movement of the hammers on the pin projections. Y

In Witness whereof, We hereunto subscribe our names this 8th day of July, 1926.

JOHN T. MILLER. MICHAEL HANLEY. 

